Welcome to Louisiana's ONLY Gerontology Graduate Program

WHAT IS GERONTOLOGY?

Gerontology is the study of the biological, psychological, cognitive, and social aspects of aging.  It is a multidisciplinary study of the aging process. “Gerontologists include researchers and practitioners in such diverse fields as biology, medicine, nursing, dentistry, social work, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, economics, political science, leisure studies, architecture, pharmacy, and anthropology” (Hooyman and Kiyak, 2018).  A graduate degree in Gerontology prepares individuals to work with the elderly in a variety of settings using a variety of practice and administrative methods.

CURRENT NEED FOR WORKFORCE IN GERONTOLOGY

There is an urgent need for well-trained professionals in the field of Gerontology and, consequently, the projected growth rate of jobs in Gerontology is quite high. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2020, the life expectancy will grow to 77.1 years for men and 81.9 years for women. According to the US Census Bureau, the total US population, between 2000 and 2010, increased by 9.7% (going from 281.4 million to 308.7 million).  However, the population aged 65 years and older increased by 15.1% during the same period. The estimated growth of the elderly population in the U.S. over the next 50 years will have an unprecedented impact on the services available to the elderly.  An increase in the number of older adults with longer life expectancies will seriously affect elder care services such as, long-term care, community-based care, health care, and other supportive services. The current gerontological workforce is not adequate to meet the unique demands of an aging society.  Moreover, the current workforce will retire (or reduce their work hours) within the next 10 to 15 years creating more gaps in service-delivery for the elderly recipients of services.  Consequently, there is an acute need for more well qualified professionals in the field of Gerontology.

CAREERS IN GERONTOLOGY

• Program Administrators in private or public organizations
• Owning your own small business such as consultancy, psychotherapy, home health care agency, day care centers for the elderly, short-term care facilities
• Consultants with corporations and businesses on how to develop services or design products that would benefit the elderly
• Long-term care administrators and/or owners of a long-term care facility
• Grief and bereavement coordinators/managers/counselors
• Activities or recreational director in a short-term or a long-term facility for the elderly
• Case Managers and Service Coordinators
• Administrators and direct care service providers in hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities
• Educators in higher education institutions
• Community educators
• Resource mobilizers and providers of advocacy services for the elderly
• Researchers focused on improving the quality of life of the elderly population

ULM's GERONTOLOGY PROGRAM OFFERS 7 CONCENTRATIONS

Students can choose any one of the following seven concentrations: Long-term Care Administration, Program Administration, Health Care Management, Small Business Management, Grief Care Management, Mental Health, & Aging Studies